It's felt like it for a while, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has tangible proof that he's run away in the MVP race against Nikola Jokic. ESPN published its second update of the 2024-25 MVP straw poll. 100 media voters penciled in an MVP ballot to show where things might be heading with two months left in the regular season.

Alexander, loyalty is law. It's the creed of the Thunder's face of the franchise, a starter in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game by an overwhelming vote.

In terms of scoring 50+ points in a seven-game span, Gilgeous-Alexander joins the likes of Hall of Fame talents such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant. Shai addressed it means to join an elite group of NBA scorers.